Lovely little essay on neurotypical privilege

Post Reply New Topic

@B19

My objection isn't with change based on financial grounds. My objection is with the lack of details of the change. The broad characterizations being made based on an idea that in my opinion is short sighted of privilege (cause you can claim that of just about anything and it's become a 'pop' term), the lack of any detailed or objective thought given to how those changes might systematically affect individuals already in treatment and flourishing, the already long waiting periods for people to get into services, the lack of services currently available that have created the long waits, etc.

Anyone can point at something and say how much better they think they can do it, I am asking you to prove it by detailing it out and ensuring that your proposed change is one that will have merited benefits.

Right now you are saying forcing people who work with anyone who has ASD to have more training on what it means to be ASD would be of a fix. OK, so how do you go from "if you met one person with ASD....." to a program that is designed to cover what it's like for everyone with ASD?

How do you get enough trained 'neurodiverse' individuals to handle the teaching of the flood of people who currently work with people who have ASD and enough for the ones still training for their field?

How do you use the resources already available to promote such change?

Given the current resources could you make smaller less ambitious shifts that have an accumulative affect?

What are the criteria for passing such standards? What the hell are the standards needed to pass? How do you circumvent the right to confidential sessions if you have to moderate interactions and ensure those standards are being used? Would this be a completely new branch of the current mental health services model, if not then how many extra hours of training would be needed to meet the new standard, if yes then how much of the current model do you replace with the new? What about co-morbids?

Given you have repeatedly stated that you are a retired psychologist, you should have the best opportunity to understand and articulate in detail how to implement such a plan. Given your knowledge and understanding of the existing system.

You haven't defined anything, but how great it would be and how horrible it is now, not to mention dismissing and being critical to anyone who thinks that it needs more depth than that. That's not critical thinking, it's not advocacy, it's sitting on the sidelines and feeling self righteous.

You want an intelligent conversation about it, then don't use hyperbole to promote your ideas and give concrete answers without side stepping them or putting it on someone else to prove it won't work.

Maybe autistic adults who can't find work in autistic-unfriendly job market could try becoming self-employed in areas that help autistic people, such as tutoring for autistic students, life coaching for autistic people (I feel like I need one sometimes), using technical skills to make apps or software for autistic needs, etc. People often say that they want to help professionals or become professionals to work with autistic people, but one can also skip the professionals and just start small with helping other autistic people outside the confines of traditional neurotypical workplaces.

Kicker, what would you like to see change, and how?

I think charging me with responsibility for redesigning the outcome and ethos of whole system is a bit premature! At this stage there is still need to work out exactly what we do have, and what needs to change, then once that awareness grows to a critical mass, people become inspired and generate new conceptions, frameworks and possibilities. At least that's how past change seems to have happened..

Samuel Johnson was a curmudgeonly type--and he also enjoyed having a nice cup of tea every once in a while.

Thanks for sharing this essay with such profound meaning that yet eludes many/most neuropsych professionals. I've survived therapeutic abuse.

The misguided clinician I encountered believed a priori that I was her inferior, even speaking to me in 'baby talk' (pronouncing words as if to a baby), and that was only the start of her staggering ignorance. My familial heritage includes some who were 'on the spectrum' (e.g., my father & paternal grandfather, both of whom I have the utmost respect). I spent an inordinate amount of time 'teaching' her, to no avail. She had a great sense of accomplishment in defaming me, watching me suffer in humiliation and degradation.

Clinician then held a secret meeting about me, without inviting me. She announced to all that (quote) "Aspies are no good." Further, she decided that I was never to contact any Wrong Planet members, and somehow she would enforce her inane rule. I am still livid as to how grievously I was mistreated. Just pain....I would contribute more here, but must hold back my tears.